Animated display device



Feb. 5, DE GRA ANIMATED DISPLAY DEVICE Filed June 12, 1933 Patented Feb. 5,1935

' I application-June 1,2,-19 3,.saa1..N -e5,4z

My invention rel'atesto animated display devices and more particularly to devices for pro-' ducing a fluid flow illusion for advertising purposes.

An object of the invention is to provide devices of this type which are simple and economical to manufacture and effective and efiicient in operation. I

Other objects and advantages will appear from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which Fig. 1 is a front elevation partly in seetionof a device embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a sectional detail view of an agitator embodied in the invention; and V Fig. 3 is a plan view of the pump taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 1. y

Referring now more in detail to the drawing, a vessel or container 5'is provided having a cupshaped cover 6 for receiving the liquid flowing downwardly on the outside of a tube '7 of brass or other suitable material. Theliquid' accumulates in the cup and drains downwardly through an aperture 8 into the vessel 5.'

The lower end of tube 7 extends into a small rotary pump 9 of a well known construction which is submerged in the liquid inthe vessel and forces liquid into the tube and upwardly into a bottle 11 or other suitable receptacle. From the bottle the liquid flows downwardly over-the tube and conceals the tube, giving rise to the illusion that the bottle is suspended in the air with a constant flow of liquid issuing therefrom. The upper end of the tube is bent at an angle and is secured to a resilient collar 12, whichserves to'support the bottle on the tube. i

The liquid used in the device is preferably an oil or a liquid having an oil base. This makes it possible to submerge the pump directly in the liquid without taking any particular pecautions to prevent leakage from the pump, as around the shaft or tube since any leakage from the pump will remain in the system. The pump may be driven by a small electric motor 13 of the synchronous type, such as used in electricclocks. The pump is attached directly to the motor by the drive shaft 14 and a support 15. The motor itself is secured to the underside of the cover 6 by a support 16. Thus when the cover is removed from the vessel, the motor and pump are .also removed therewith, making it simple to inspect and repair the device.

In order to enhance the illusion and prevent the liquid from flowing from the bottle in too smooth a stream, an agitator 1'7 is provided in the bottle to was up the {evenness "of th fidw as illustrated is merely a convenient and useful form v of the invention and that many changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention;

I claim: "1. In a display device, a vessel for receiving a liquid to be circulated, a cover therefor, a motor and pump secured to the bottom of the cover, said motor being positioned above the liquidin said vessel and the pump extending into said liquid, a

tube extending through the cover and into said pump, and a receptacle at the upper end of said tube for receiving liquid from said tubeand di scharging the liquid over said tube.

2. In a display device, a vessel for liquid, a pump submerged in the, liquid in said vessel, a tube extending upwardly from said pump, a recepta-, ole-like cover for said vessel through which said tube extends, and a receptacle at the upper end of said tube for returning liquid over said tube into the receptacle-like cover. l

3. In a display device, a vessel for receiving a liquid, a cup-shaped cover therefor having an aperture communicating with the vessel, a motor secured to the under side of said cover above the liquid, a pump secured to. the motor and extending into the liquid, a. tube extending upwardly from the pump and through said cov'er,.and a receptacle at the upper end of said tube for receiving liquid from the tube and discharging it over the tube into said cover. I Y 4. In a display devicefa vessel for liquid, a pump submerged the,liquid"in said Vessel, a tube extending upwardly from said pump, a receptacle-like cover for said vessel through which said tube extends, a receptacle at the upper end of said tube for returning liquid over saidtube, and means for supporting said receptacle on'said tube.

submerged in the liquid in said-"vessel, a tube extends, a receptacle at 'theupper end .of said means for supporting said receptacle on said 5. In a display device, a vessel for liquid, a pump f 1 50 extending upwardly from saidpump,'a receptaclelike cover for said vessel through whichsaid tube a tube for returning liquid over said tube, and" tube, comprising resilient means engaging said 1 i said receptacle for agitating the liquid to break up the evenness of the stream leaving the recep tacle. a

7. Ina display device, a tube, meansdonforcing uqui'u through liaid tube;; a; reeepp eiejet the 1 upper end of the tube for receiving liquid from the tube and discharging it' overthe tube, and;

1 meansactuated by the liquid for agitating x th em qe m on the tubeand discharging it'over stream of liquid leaving the'receptatilii 8. In a-display' device, a tube, means for-forc ing liquid-through said tube, a receptacle at't'ne 1 upper end'oi the tubefor teeeivihgillduld from. the tube'and discharging it over the tube, and

rotatable means actuated by the liquid form: tatingthe stream of liquid leaving the receptacle;

9. In a display device, a vessel for liquid, apump submerged in the liquid in said vessel, 8. tube extending upwardly from said pump, a receptacle-like cover for said vessel through which said tube extends, a receptacle at the upper end of said tube for returning liquid over said tube into the receptaclelike cover, and means ac tuated by the liquid for agitating the stream 01' liquid leaving the receptacle.

10am: 9. display" device; a* vessel; 9. quantity of oil i'n' -tHe vessel, a ump submerged-amended, a tube extending upwardly from said pump, a receptacle at the upper end of'said tube for re-- the tube, a paddle wheel in said receptacle actuated by the Oil for agitating the stream of oil leaving 'the receptacle, anda dished cover for said vessel for receiving the oil moving downwarmly" over said tube.

- JOHN DE GRAY; 

